Romance enhanced by writing

Get out the champagne, the chocolates..and the pen...

"Writing about one's romantic relationship for 20 minutes a day may help it last longer, according to researchers at The University of Texas at Austin.

James Pennebaker, a psychology professor, and Richard Slatcher, a graduate student, analyzed writing samples from 86 couples. One person from each couple was instructed to write for 20 minutes a day for three consecutive days.

Volunteers in one group wrote about their daily activities, while those in the second group wrote about their deepest thoughts and feelings about the relationship. The participants' dating partners did not complete any writing task.

The researchers found that 77 percent of volunteers who wrote about their relationship were still dating their partner three months later. In contrast, only 52 percent of people who wrote just about everyday activities stayed with their partner, according to the study published in Psychological Science..."

More at UPI

Comments

[Nan]

This is interesting to me. I always write about my innermost thoughts and emotions in my journal -- especially when they're not very pleasant!

I believe that writing helps me process things, although it's no substitute for other important resources like friends, family, or counselors (whether spiritual or secular). Even keeping records in my Filofax helps center me when I'm anxious.

But I don't always write about my relationship, and not for 20 minutes a day. Even so, I've been in the same relationship for 20 years. I'd be interested to make my writing conform to the 20 minutes a day and see what the effect is!